The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-08-20
Gen. Nichols in 1880.
Lake Charles Commercial. |

Inc IOllOWlng excerpts from the
New Orleans Democrat, of JAN
uary IA, 1880, and January 16, 1880,
then under the management of
Maj. e. A. Burke, written and
published at a time when our able
contemporary represented some
thing else in Louisiana besides the
Ring, show in what esteem Gen.
Nichols was held by the people,
and are faithful echoes Of the,
then, public sentiment:
sThe outgoing administration, though
hampered by the old constitution, will
be recorded in history as one of the
purest and ablest which has ever welded
the affairs of the State. Luring the term
of that gallant soldier and statesman,
Governor Nichols, no whisper has been
heard of wrong or corruption in the va
rious departments of the government,
and the laws have been impartially and
ably executed. The levees have been
carefully looked after and an immense
amount of work well and economically
done. The interests of the State have
been guarded with thoughtful care, and
all the public institutions conducted in
a manner that reflects credit upon the
administration.
Surrounded ut the first by difficulties
that seemed wellnigh insurmountable.
Governor Nichols overcame them all,
and leaves the Office which he has hon.
ored and dignified with the proud con-
seriousness of duty well performed and re-
tanning the warm affection of the people,"
Yesterday witnessed the completion
OF the f0rmalities attendant upon the
transfer Of the reins of government and
to-day Francis T. Nichols returns to the
walks Of private citizenship. The adop-
ton OF the new constitution has abbre-
waited his term by one year, and the State
thus loses his services sooner than was
contemplated at the time of his INSTALL
ment. Governor Nichols did not seek
the Office in the first place; there is no
reason to suppose that he retires from it
with any other than feeling of relief
and satisfaction, and he Is succeeded by a
man who is equally the choice OF the
people. Nevertheless it is impossible to
take leave OF Governor Nichols without
emotion. Although there have been, du-
ring the last two years and half, none
OF those great emergencies which bring
out man in sharp definition, and aseoci-
ate him in mems minds with common
peril and common effort and common
destiny, the circumstances under which
he took his seat will always retain place
in the memory of the people as one OF
the most momentus episodes in our
history. Governor Nichols himself will
stand apart, singled out from the pro-
cession OF governors, figure of special
interest and significance"
at was Governor Nichols intelligence
and courage that led us safely through
that tremendous epoch, and led us into
sweet refuge OF lasting and assured secu-
nty. He should not be suffered to return
to private life without this distinct and
explicit recognition of the great debt due
him by the people of Louisiana. AL
though we owe him much for the integ-
rity and the ability of his administration
since, that is as nothing compared to the
obligation under which he has placed MS
by reason of his splendid address in lead
ing MS out OF the wilderness of political
slavery into the beautiful land flowing
with the milk and honey of freedom and
peace. No man has ever retired from
such position with SO proud and honora-
bic record. No man has ever achieved
ton and gratitude Of his people"
Six months afterward, on the
l4th of July, 1880, the same paper
published the following editorial:
So General Nichols left the ex-
ecutive chair OF the State thoroughly
poor man. He abandoned comfortable
home In Assumption, and practice
which, though perhaps not lucrative,
sufiiced for his simple wants and assured
his future, to accept the nomination
pressed upon him by his fellow-citizens
IN 1876. OF course after an absence of
fonr years the restoration Of the old sit
uation would have been impossible, and
General Nichols was left, virtually, to
begin the struggle of life afresh. This
appointment, therefore, not only involves
a gratifying and complimentary indorse-
ment from corporation composed Of our
very first merchants, but it also secures
to General Nichols timely and consid-
cradle contribution to his revenue.
I'VE feel very sure that the Factors
and Traders Company will never have
the slightest reason to regret their choice
OF General Nichols. 1t is safe to predict
that he will be found in his private re-
lations as he always was in his official
ones diigent loyal, competent and
punctiliously honorable"
The gallant soldier and states
man has not fallen, in the estima-
ton of the honest Democrats Of
Louisiana, from the high position
which he then held. He is still az
dear In rs rs he was then